TEMPO.CO, Semarang - Two human statues wrapped in black and white silicone sat across from each other on a 3-meter chessboard. Their faces were anonymous. Their bodies and feet were clothed in leather similar to an outfit fit for war. The right arm was over the thigh and the left arm leaned on a metal sword 1.5 meters high. On the chessboard, the rook, knight, bishop, queen and king were still neatly in place. Yet thousands of black and white chess pawns were scattered at the front line of the battle.

This was one of I Made Widya Diputra’s 10 statues on display at the Semarang Gallery in an exhibition entitled the"Carnival of Scenes" from June 29 to July 13. This specific piece, named The Art of War, is a visual interpretation of the Bharatayudha war in the legendary Javanese Mahabharata story. Made, who is more commonly called Lampung, made anonymous figures as his statues so viewers could freely interpret the statues.

On another side of the gallery, Lampung displayed his piece called No One Escapes The Death I Ride, which is a visualization of the death of Resi Bisma. As the real legend goes, the mighty Bisma finally died after being hit with an arrow that was possessed with the Goddess Amba, shot by Srikandi. Bisma’s body was visualized as a white statue, laying down, yet not touching the ground. His body was supported by nine arrows piercing through his body.

The exhibition’s curator, Bambang ‘Toko’ Witjaksono, said that even though Lampung claims his creative work of art was based on the Mahabharata kingdom legend, he has managed to open up a vast interpretation of his work.

"He purposely presented anonymous pieces far from figures that imitate wayang," wrote Toko. He also praised Lampung’s meticulous method in detailing each of his pieces.

"This meticulousness is influenced by Balinese tradition when creating offerings or making arts and crafts," he added.

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